System and method for access point (AP) aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network

Abstract

Aspects of the invention may provide a system and method for access point aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired / wireless local area network. Access point aggregation and resiliency may include determining one or more available switch ports having a capability to handle a first access point group, the first access point group having a first default switch port. One or more available switch ports may be provisioned to provide service to the first access point group. Information may be communicated between the first default switch port and / or any of the provisioned switch ports, while maintaining client status and connection information. Available switch ports may be selected from a reserved pool of available switch ports and upon abatement of a need to utilize the provisioned switch ports, the provisioned switch ports may be returned to the reserved pool of available switch ports.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0001]The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, as a continuation, to the following U.S. Utility Patent Application which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes:[0002]1. U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10 / 658,450, entitled “System and Method for Access Point (AP) Aggregation and Resiliency in a Hybrid Wired / Wireless Local Area Network,” filed Sep. 9, 2003, abandoned, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes:[0003]a. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 435,984 entitled “Communication System and Method in a Wireless Local Area Network” filed on Dec. 20, 2002;[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One major drawback is that companies that have invested in 802.11b equipment and infrastructure may not readily upgrade their network without significant expenditure.

RF interference may pose additional operational problems with 802.11b and 802.11g equipment designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Accordingly, interference poses interference problems with the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

Notwithstanding, the higher operating frequency of 802.11a causes more attenuation resulting in a shorter operating range at a given data rate.

This may significantly increase deployment cost since a larger number of access points are required to service a given service area.

In hybrid wired / wireless network systems that may utilize one or more protocols in the 802.11 suite of protocols, the mobility of access devices throughout the network may pose additional challenges for conventional switches and switching equipment.

Since access devices are continuously changing their point of access to the network, conventional switches may not have the capability to control other network devices and / or entities to provide a seamless and efficient communication throughout the network.

However, operating outside the realm of acceptable standards may significantly affect customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Notwithstanding, maintaining acceptable standards may be challenging in a continuously changing network.

Moreover, particularly in network systems that may handle large volumes of access device traffic, conventional switching equipment may not have the necessary resources to effectively ensure and maintain acceptable standards.

Additionally, since access devices may be continuously mobile throughout the network, congestion may cause various network devices to become bottlenecks, while other network devices having available capacity may remain unutilized or underutilized.

Furthermore, overload can sometimes result in performance degradation and ultimately, system failure.

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